Device for a stretch corset and a neck stretcher

ABSTRACT

A device for exerting force between two portions of the human anatomy, such as a back or neck. The device includes an upper brace for attachment to an upper portion of the human anatomy and a lower brace for attachment to a lower portion of the human anatomy. The first and the second fluid containing cylinder, each cylinder having a lower portion and a telescopically extendable upper portion, have attachment means thereon and extend generally in a longitudinal direction of a patient. The first cylinder upper portion is attached to the upper brace, the first cylinder lower portion is attached to the lower brace. The second cylinder upper portion is attached to the upper brace and the second cylinder lower portion is attached to the lower brace. The first and second cylinders are positioned on opposite sides of the human anatomy with the fluid within the cylinders being compressive and under compression providing a constant force urging the upper brace away from the lower brace. The upper brace has an articulation mechanism for providing mobility to the patient.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to PCT Application No. NO96/00006 which claims priority from Norwegian Patent Application No. 950179 filed Jan. 18, 1995.

This invention relates to a device for a stretch corset and a neck stretcher in order to stretch out the spine of a patient in connection with back and/or neck sufferings, and where two opposing belts or the like positioned beneath the arms of the patient and within the hip area, respectively --with neck damages--where opposing yoke on the shoulders and head support become supported against each other by means of adjustable, possibly resilient means at each side of the patient.

In order to reduce a patient's back pains and/or neck pains and, possibly, cure damages in the back and/or the neck, it is known to stretch out the spine of the patient by means of a stretching device fixed to the patient. Such stretch devices where opposing belt or the like positioned below the arms of the patient and within the hip area, respectively upon neck damages--where opposing yoke on the shoulders and head support are supported against each other by means of adjustable, possibly resilient means, e.g. by disposing spiral springs within cylinders, are previously disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,886,031, 3,029,810, 3, 413,971, 4,245,627, 4,250,874, 4,715,362 and 4,987,885.

The stretch device closest to the present invention is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,413,971, dealing with a training apparatus in the form of an orthopaedic stretching apparatus which is not designed with a view of being carried permanently by a patient having back and neck sufferings, but can exclusively be used for training purposes. This training apparatus comprises interconnected and, thus, communicating pressure fluid operated piston cylinders. The object of these communicating cylinders is to secure mutually equal tensile strain on each side of back and/or neck.

With a stretch corset and a neck stretcher of the kind with which the present invention deals, it is intended to allow lateral bending of the back, head and neck of the patient. A great disadvantage of the other known devices of this kind is that they, to a very high degree, hamper the patient's movements of the spine.

The object of this invention is to provide a device for a stretch corset and neck support, causing that the patient is not hampered in his/her movements of spine/head/neck.

Two examplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a stretch corset in a front view, fastened on a patient standing in a straight position;

FIG. 2 shows the same as FIG. 1, but here the patient occupies a laterally bent position;

FIG. 3 shows the stretch corset as seen in perspective from one side thereof;

FIG. 4 shows a neck stretcher as seen in a side elevational view, fastened on a patient;

FIG. 5 shows in a front view the same as FIG. 4, but here the patient has bent the head laterally.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a patient has a stretch corset 2 fastened thereon. This corset comprises a breast belt 3, a hip belt 4, a pneumatic cylinder 5, 6 at either side, communicating freely with each other through a hose 7. A manual pump 8 is connected to cylinder 5 for pumping pressurized air into the cylinders 5 and 6. A manometer 9 has been connected to cylinder 6. A valve 10 is connected to one of the cylinders 5, 6 for letting air out. The breast belt 3 and the hip belt 4 are articulated creating articulation means 11, 12 in the mid-region at the rear side, in order to give a good adaption and mobility for the patient and has, at the front side, a buckle device 13, 14.

In each end thereof, the pneumatic cylinders 5, 6 are each equipped with a hook 15 engaging into a hole 16 of a horizontal row of holes in a rigid portion 17 at each and every side of of the breast belt 3 and the hip belt 4 and, thus, forming two adjustable connections between the breast belt 3 and the hip belt 4.

The patient may well fasten on the stretch corset 2 and inflate the same by means of the manual pump 8, so that the spine is subjected to an adequate tensile force. If the latter has become too large, air may be let out through the valve 10. With the stretch corset fastened on and inflated, the patient may bend and twist freely in all directions, because the pneumatic cylinders 5, 6 communicate and adapted themselves automatically to the movements.

In FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings, reference numeral 18 denotes a patient having a neck stretcher 19 fastened thereon. This stretcher comprises a neck support 20 which, in front, is connected to a chin support 21; Together the supports 20, 21 form a head support. The head support 20, 21 is, at either side thereof, through a pneumatic cylinder 22, 23 movably connected to a yoke consisting of two shoulder supports 24, 25, a breast piece 26 and a back piece 27. The shoulder supports 24, 25 are adjustably (28) connected to the breast piece 26 and the back piece 27, so that the yoke 24, 25, 26, 27 may adjust itself to patients individually. The pneumatic cylinders 22, 23 communicate freely with each other through a hose 29 into which a manometer 30 is inserted. The cylinders 22, 23 may be inflated by means of an ordinary manual pump through a valve 31 within the hose 29. Another valve 32 in the hose 29 is adapted to let out air.

The head support 20, 21 is, in a way not illustrated, adapted to be divided. The patient may himself/herself fasten the neck stretcher 19 on and then pump it up so that it becomes adequately tensioned. If the tensioning has become too large, air may be let out through the valve 32. With the neck stretcher fastened on and pumped up, the patient may bend and twist the head freely in all positions, because the pneumatic cylinders 22, 23 communicate and adjust themselves automatically to the movements.

Of course, it would be possible to use hydraulic cylinders in lieu of pneumatic ones, but such a solution seems to be less favourable. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for exerting force between two portions of a human anatomy, such as the back or neck, comprising:an upper brace having means for attachment to an upper portion of the human anatomy; a lower brace having means for attachment to a lower portion of the human anatomy; a first and a second fluid containing cylinder, each cylinder having a lower portion and a telescopically extendable upper portion, the cylinders having attachment means thereon and extending generally in the longitudinal direction of a patient, said first cylinder upper portion being attached to said upper brace, said first cylinder lower portion being attached to said lower brace, said second cylinder upper portion being attached to said upper brace and said second cylinder lower portion being attached to said lower brace, the first and second cylinders being positioned on opposite sides of the human anatomy, the fluid within said cylinders being compressive and under compression providing a constant force urging said upper brace away from said lower brace; and said upper brace having articulation means for providing mobility to the patient.
 2. A device for exerting force between two portions of the human anatomy as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second fluid cylinders are formed of piston cylinders, each said cylinder has an internal cavity therein, said cavities being divided by the piston into a chamber below the piston and a chamber above the piston, in the latter chamber the piston moves, at least the chambers of both cylinders below the pistons being freely connected by means of an open-ended hose.
 3. A device for exerting force for stretching out the spine of a patient, comprising;an upper brace positionable around the breast and under the patient's arms; a lower brace positionable around the patient's hips; a first and a second fluid containing cylinder, each cylinder having a lower and a telescopically extending upper portion, the cylinders having attachment means thereon and extending generally in the longitudinal direction of a patient, said first cylinder upper portion being attached to said upper brace and said first cylinder lower portion being attached to said lower brace, said second cylinder upper portion being attached to said upper brace and second cylinder lower portion being attached to said lower brace, the first and second cylinders being positioned on opposite sides of the patient's torso, the fluid within said cylinders being compressive and under compression providing a constant force urging said upper brace under the patient's arms away from said lower brace positioned on the patient's hips to stretch the patient's spine; and said upper brace having articulation means for providing mobility to the patient.
 4. A device for exerting force for stretching out the spine of a patient as set forth in claim 3 wherein said first and second fluid cylinders are formed of piston cylinders, each said cylinder has an internal cavity therein, said cavities being divided by the piston into a chamber below the piston and a chamber above the piston, in the latter chamber the piston moves, at least the chambers of both cylinders below the pistons being freely connected by means of an open-ended hose.
 5. A device for exerting force between two portions of a human anatomy, such as the back or neck, comprising:an upper brace having means for attachment to an upper portion of the human anatomy; a lower brace portion having means for attachment to a lower portion of the human anatomy; a first and a second fluid containing cylinder, each cylinder having a lower portion and a telescopically extendable upper portion, the cylinders having attachment means thereon and extending generally in the longitudinal direction of a patient, said first cylinder upper portion being attached to said upper brace, said first cylinder lower portion being attached to said lower brace, said second cylinder upper portion being attached to said upper brace and said second cylinder lower portion being attached to said lower brace, the first and second cylinders being positioned on opposite sides of the human anatomy, the fluid within said cylinders being compressive and under compression providing a constant force urging said upper brace away from said lower brace; and said lower brace having articulation means for providing mobility to the patient.
 6. A device for exerting force between two portions of the human anatomy as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first and second fluid cylinders are formed of piston cylinders, each said cylinder has an internal cavity therein, said cavities being divided by the piston into a chamber below the piston and a chamber above the piston, in the latter chamber the piston moves, at least the chambers of both cylinders below the pistons being freely connected by means of an open-ended hose. 